Eyeglass-case.



A. J. PRATT. EYEGLASS CASE. APPLICATION FILED. MAY 6, 1912.

Patented June 23, 1914.

FIG. IE

FIG. 111

' 12 w 9 w FIGJSZ FIGLY FIGEE FIQEHI FIG- IX FIG. IX.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CO..WASHINGTDN, D. c.

UNITED STA.

ARTHUR J. PRATT, 0F SOUTI-IBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 AMERICAN OPTICAL COMPANY, OF SOUTHBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

EYEGLASS-CASE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 23, 1914:.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ARTHUR J. PRATT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Southbridge, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements 1n Eyeglass-Cases, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates toimprovements 1n eyeglass cases, and has particular reference to an improved form of spring therefor.

The leading object of my invention is the provision of an improved satisfactorily operating spring for retaining the lid of an eyeglass case in either opened or closed position.

The further object of my invention is the provision of a spring of this character which while eflicient in operation will occupy a minimum amount of space and thus will not fill up the case or require a great amount of loose lining to allow for play of the sprlng as is the case of many eyeglass case springs now in use.

Other objects and advantages of my 1mproved eyeglass case spring will be readily.

apparent by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and it will be understood that I may make any modifications in the specific details of construction shown and described within the scope of the appended claims without departing from or exceeding the spirit of my invention.

Figure I represents a perspective view of an eyeglass case in open position illustratmg one embodiment of my invention. Fig. 11 represents a sectional view showing the position of the parts when the case is closed. Fig. III represents a fragmentary view of an open case illustrating a different form of spring. Fig. IV represents a detailed view of the spring shown in Fig. I. Fig. V represents a slight modification of said spring. Fig. VI represents another modification of spring. Fig. VII is a slight variation of the spring shown in Fig. VI. Fig. VIII represents a fragmentary view of a case embodying a pair of slightly modified springs. Fig. IX illustrates the use of a spring formed from flat instead of round material, and Fig. X represents a view of another form of flat spring.

In the drawings, in which similar characters of reference are employed to denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 1 designates the lid of a case 2, the lid and case being connected by the pintle 3 passing through the curled ears 4 and 5 on the lid and body section respectively. Disposed centrally of the hinged edge of the cover 1 is the extended ear 4' adapted ordinarily to engage the link 6 which hooks onto the ear 4 and curls around the hinge pintle 3 and depends slightly therebelow. Secured to the lower depending portion of the link 6 as by a hook 7 fitting in an aperture 8 in the link is one end of my improved spring, said spring extending downward in the forms shown in Figs. I to VIII inclusive and being formed into the coil or coils 9 disposed with their axes transversely of the case. The material of the spring projects from the coil 9 in the portion 10 extending longitudinally of the case. v In Figs. I to V inclusive the portion 10 rests on the bottom of the case and has projecting or extending upward therefrom the brace 11 which fits beneath the ear 5 of the bottom of the case and is held in position by said ear. This portion 11 may be a single upturned end or a plurality of looped portions as desired, different forms being shown in the different figures.

In that form of my spring shown in Fig. III in place of there being but a single spring disposed on one side of the link 6 I employ a double spring having one-half disposed on each side of the link 6.

In Figs. VI, VII and VIII in place of the portion 10 resting against the bottom of the case, I form my spring with the portion 12 adapted to fit underneath the ear 5 or rest against the hinge pintle 8. This form possesses a certain advantage in that all yielding of the spring so secured must be in the coil 9 thereof or the hook arm 7, the yielding arm 10 being thus eliminated.

In Figs. IX and X I have illustrated the use of a spring formed of flat material, in Fig. IX the said spring 13 having a flattened end l-il adapted to fit under the ear 5 and the intermediate portion of the spring being simply looped, .while in Fig. X I have shown the flattened portion 14 and the spring spirally wound therefrom before being attached to the link 6.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings the construction and operation of my improved eyeglass case spring should be readily apparent, and it will be seen that I, have provided a satisfactory and efiicient spring which is securely anchored in place by the ear on the lower section and which:

lies practically fiat against the back of the case, occupying very little space and thus re quirin-g but little loose lining to accommo-,

date the same, the said spring in practically all instances being formed with resilient coils and the spring action being caused byj the tightening of said coils as the case is shifted and the resultant and natural expansion of the coils whenever permitted serving to hold the case in open or closed;

position. It is also to be observed that by the use of my improved spring it is possible; to securely fasten or anchor both ends of the same without piercing the case and without,

using rivets, solder or other securing means liable to deface the case.

The absence of any perforations or ears'struck up from the; case and similar securing means 18 of pllmary importance in the eyeglass case art at secured without interfering with the ordi nary appearance of the case, while the removability of my spring which Will be apparent from the drawings should also commend the same as it permits of replacing of a worn spring by one not having the tools for rebending and shaping the case as is necessary with most present cases.

It will be observed that in Fig. I, I have shown projecting above the coil 9 of my spring the lug 15 on the ear 5, this lug holding down the coil'9 to prevent yielding of the arm 10 of the spring and thus to insure all of the spring action being in the coil 9.

I claim:

1. A spring for an eyeglass case comprising a piece of material disposed entirely below the hinge pintle of the case'and having one end connected to the cover, the other end engaging the body sectionof the case and the intermediate portion thereof formed into a'resilient coil with its axis extending transversely of the case.

2. The combination with a body section and a cover hinged thereto, of a spring having a wide fiat portion resting against and extending longitudinally of the rear portion of the body section, means on the body section for securing said flat portion in position, a coil formed in the spring exterior to said securing means and'disposed substantially in the plane thereof, and connections between the free terminus of the coil and the cover.

3. The combination with a body section of a case, of a cover hinged thereto, an ear integral with the body section, a spring having a portion fitting beneath the ear and Se cured thereby against twisting or other lateral movement, and a link carried by the other end of the spring and engaging the cover section, the intermediate portion of the spring being formed into a coil disposed substantially in the plane of said ear.

4:. A case comprising a body section and a lid hinged thereto, reversely extending ears carried by the body section and by the lid, a removable spring held under one of said ears for longitudinally sliding but secured against lateral shifting or twisting, said spring having a coil formed therein, and a link connecting the free end of the coil with the other ear.

5. A case comprising a body section and a cover, each of said portions having curled hinge pintle engaging ears and one of the ears on each part being extended beyond the hinge pintle, a removable spring having one end. fitting beneath the ear of one of said portions, said end being constructed to so engage the ear as to prevent twisting of the spring or lateral movement thereof, a coil formed in the material of the spring exterior to the portion fitting beneath theear, and means connecting the free end of the coil with the ear on the other of said parts.

6. The combination with a body section and a cover each having extended hinge ears, of a removable spring having anangu- 'lar portion fitting beneath one of said ears,

a portion of the material of the spring exterior to the ear being spirally wound and terminating in a hooked arm, and a link having an aperture formed therein to engage the hook of the arm, said link being adapted to curl around the -hinge of the device and having its free end engaging the other ear.

7. In an eyeglass case, the combination with a body'portion havinga pocket at the rear thereof formed by doubling of the material of the case, of a spring having a portion fitting into the pocket and held against twisting movement therein, said spring having a looped resilient portion exterior to the pocket terminating in a hook and means for connecting said hook with the cover section of the case.

8. In an eyeglass case, the combination with a body portion having a flat pocket formed on one wall thereof, of a spring having an anchoring portion fitting into the pocket and held against twisting movement said spring having a coil formed therein adjacent and exterior to the pocket, but substantially in a plane therewith, the material of the spring being continued from the coil and terminating in a hook, and a link having one end engaging the hook and the other the cover of the case to operatively connect the spring and cover.

10 of the case, the material forming the pocket having a finger extending therefrom above the looped portion of the spring to prevent upward movement thereof.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR J. PRATT.

Witnesses:

ALICE M. HOAR, JOSEPH J. DEMENS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

